Pressing machine



June 26, 1934. A. MATTHEWS PRESSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 26, 1934. A, MATTHEWS 1,964,126

PRESSING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented June 26, 1934 HE res FfiiTENT FFICE PRESSENG MACHINE Albert Matthews, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Application November 7, 1929, Serial No. 405,419

13 Slaims.

This invention relates to improvements in fabric pressing and ironing machines of the type having a pair of relatively movable pressing members adapted to be brought into engagement with each other for the pressing operation.

The general object of the present invention is the provision of such a pressing machine in which both pr ssing members, or either of them, are so mounted as to have sliding movement relative to each other just after they have been brought into engagement, such relative sliding movement producing improved pressing or ironing results. By delaying the relative sliding movement of the pressing members until after engagement thereof has been effected, the lay of the work being pressed is not disturbed or re-arranged thereby.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter.

The invention will be readily understood from the following description thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a pressing machine having the lower pressing member only mounted for sliding movement; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof on the line 22, Fig.

l, the two pressing members having just been brought into engagement; Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 and showing in full lines the position 33 of the pressing members after relative sliding movement thereof and showing in dash-dot lines the position of said members before such relative sliding movement, to-wit, the position of the members shown in Fig. 2; Fig. i is a fragmentary side elevation of a pressing machine with the upper press a member only mounted for sliding movement; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing the pressing members of Fig. 4 in engagement but before relative sliding movement m, thereof, the view being on the line 5-5, Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the pressing members of Fig. i after relative sliding movement thereof; and Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a press in which both pressing mem- .r.-. hers are mounted for sliding movement.

H The present invention may be embodied in Various types of pressing machines and is here shown as embodied in a machine of a type well known in the laundry field. It includes a frame 1 upon which is mounted a pedestal 2 carrying a lower pressing member 3. At the rear of the pedestal, the frame is provided with upwardly extendarm i upon the upper end of which is pivoted at a head lever 6. On the front end of the 55 bifurcated forward arm of said lever is the upper pressing member '7 for cooperation with the lower pressing member 3. One or more springs 8 have their lower ends connected at 9 to the base of the frame 1 and their upper ends connected at 10 to the rear end of the rear arm of the head ,3 lever 6, the purpose of said spring or springs being to move the head lever, and hence the upper pressing member '7, in a clockwise direction, Fig. l, to open the press after the termination of the pressing operation and to normally maintain these parts in the open position shown in Fig. 1. i

In the prsesing machine here illustrated, the head lever 6, and hence the upper pressing memher 7, are moved in a counter-clockwise direction, 's,: Fig. 1, to close the press, that is, to bring the upper and lower pressing members into engagement, by fluid pressure means operative upon suitable toggle mechanism. Pivotally mounted to the machine frame 1 is the forward end of a cylinder 15 in which moves a piston 16 to which is connected the forward end of a piston rod 17. The rear end of said rod is connected at 18 to an intermediate part of a lower toggle member 19 having its lower end connected at 9 to the machine frame and its upper end connected at 20 to the lower end of an upper toggle member 21. The upper end of this upper toggle member is suitably connected to the rear arm of the head lever 6, such as at 10. Fluid pressure for the press closing operation of piston 16 is supplied to the cylinder 15 through conduit means 23, the supply of fluid pressure to said conduit means, and its discharge therefrom, being controlled by a suitable inlet and outlet valve means in turn controlled by the handle 26 adapted for operator actuation.

In the present embodiment of the invention, upward movement of the handle 26 opens the inlet valve and closes the outlet valve of valve 9 means 25, thereby permitting fluid pressure to flow to the forward end of the cylinder 15 through the conduit means 23. The piston 16 is therefore moved rearwardly, the toggle members 19, 21 are straightened, and the head lever 6, with the 10 upper pressing member '7, are moved in a counterclockwise direction, Fig. 1, bringing the upper pressing member down into engagement with the lower pressing member. When the pressing oper ation has been terminated and it is desired to 10 open the press, the operator depresses handle 26 which closes the inlet valve and opens the outlet valve of valve means 25. The fluid pressure in cylinder 15 is therefore exhausted therefrom v through the conduit means 23 and the spring or 110 springs 8 thereupon break the toggle members 19, 21 and move the head lever 6, and hence the upper pressing member 7, in a clock-wise direction, Fig. 1, to the open position shown in this View, all as will be readily understood.

In order to improve the pressing or ironing results, the two pressing members 3 and 7, or either of them, are so mounted that relative sliding movement thereof will be effected after they have been brought into engagement. By delaying this relative sliding movement of the pressing members until after engagement thereof has been effected, there is no liability of re-arrangement or disturbance of the lay of the work being pressed.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, one pressing member only, to-wit, the lower pressing member 3, is mounted for sliding movement. In the construction there illustrated, the lower pressing member is provided with two pairs of depending lugs 29, to each pair of which is pinned or otherwise pivotally connected at 30 the upper end of a link 31 having its lower end pinned at 32 or otherwise pivotally connected to one of a pair of lugs 33 of the pedestal 2. Each of these two links is provided at its upper end with a depending boss 34 extending substantially perpendicularly thereto and cooperating with each of these bosses is a coiled spring 35, said bosses being provided with reduced lower ends 36 entering the upper ends of said springs and therefore forming confining means therefor. Said springs rest upon the pedestal 2 and surround pedestal confining bosses 3'7.

The springs 35 normally maintain the lower pressing member in its elevated position with respect to the pedestal 2, as shown in Fig. 1. As indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, the connection of the lower pressing member to the pedestal 2 is such that the links 31 are inclined upwardly and to the right, when viewed from the front of the machine. Therefore, the lower pressing member slides or moves downwardly and to the right upon being engaged by the upper pressing member, such sliding or receding movement of the lower pressing member not being effected, however, until after the upper pressing member has engaged it with sufficient pressure to maintain the desired lay of the work. This sliding or receding movement of the lower pressing member, which effects improved pressing or ironing results, is, of course, against the resistance of springs 35 and continues until the lower ends 36 of the pressing member lugs 34 engage the upper ends of the pedestal lugs 37, after which the work is subjected to heavy final pressure, this position of the parts being shown in full lines, Fig. 3.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the upper pressing member only is mounted for sliding movement, the lower pressing member being stationary. In the construction there illustrated, the upper pressing member is connected to the bifurcated front arm of the head lever 6 by a pair of links 40, the upper ends of which are pinned at 41 or otherwise pivotally connected to said lever. The lower ends of said links are pinned at 42 or otherwise pivotally connected to lugs 43 upon the top of the pressing member. Each link is provided at its upper end with a depending lug 45 extending substantially perpendicularly thereto and adapted for engagement with a pressing head lug 46 for the application of final power pressure, said lugs 45, 46 limiting clockwise movement of links 40, Figs. 5 and 6. To limit counter-clockwise movement thereof, each link 40 is provided at its lower end with a laterally extending foot 47 for engage-- ment with a pad 48 on the top of the pressing member, as indicated. To maintain the upper pressing member in lowered position, that is, away from the head. lever, with the link feet 47 in engagement with the pressing member, coiled springs 50 are provided, one for each link. A shoulder 5-1 is provided upon each link, upon which shoulder rests the lower end of a spring 50, th upper end of said spring engaging a cross member 5-1 of the bifurcated front end of head. lever 6. To confine the springs 50 in place, said cross member and the link shoulders are provided with studs 55, extending within the spring ends.

As indicated in Figs. 5 and 6, the connection of the upper pressing member to the head lever 6 is such that the links 40 are inclined upwardly and to the right, when viewed from the front of the machine. Therefore, the upper pressing member slides to the left after engagement with the lower pressing member, such sliding movement of the upper pressing member not being effected, however, until after said pressing mem ber has engaged the lower pressing member 1 with surhcient pressure to maintain the desired lay of the work. This sliding movement of the upper pressing member, which effects improved pressing or ironing results, is, of course, against the resistance of springs 50 and continues until the link studs 45 engage the pressing member studs 46, after which the work is subjected to heavy final pressure.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Fig. '7, both pressing members 3 and 7 are mounted for sliding movement. The mounting for the upper pressing member '7 is the same as disclosed in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 and the mounting for the lower pressing member 3 is the same as disclosed in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. With the construction of Fig. 7, immediately after engagement of the two pressing members, sliding movement thereof in opposite directions takes place, the upper pressing member '7 sliding to the left and the lower pressing member 3 sliding to the right, with improved pressing or ironing results, all as will be readily understood.

What I claim is:

1. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said upper pressing member including a link having its upper end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said upper pressing member, a lower portion of said link being pivotally connected to said upper pressing member, and a depending abutment carried by the upper end of said link and adapted for engagement with said upper pressing member to thereby limit swinging movement in one direction of said upper pressing member relative to its supporting element, said abutment by such engagement also serving to limit sliding movement of said upper pressing member in said one direction relative to said lower pressing member.

2. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said upper pressing member including a link having its upper end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said upper pressing member, a lower portion of said link being pivotally connected to said upper pressing member, means normally tending to swing said upper pressing member in one direction relative to its supporting element, and a depending abutment carried by the upper end of said link and adapted to limit, by engagement with said upper pressing member, swinging movement of said upper pressing member in the opposite direction relative to the supporting element therefor, said abutment by such engagement also serving to limit sliding movement of said upper pressing member in said opposite direction relative to said lower pressing member.

3. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for saio upper pressing member including a link having its upper end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said upper pressing member, a lower portion of said link being pivotally connected to said upper pressing member, yielding means cooperating with said link and normally tending to swing said upper pressing member in one direction relative to its supporting element, and a depending abutment carried by the upper end of said link and adapted to limit, by engagement with said upper pressing member, swinging movement of said upper pressing member in the opposite direction relative to the supporting element therefor, said abutment by such engagement also serving to limit sliding movement of said upper pressing member in said opposite direction relative to said lower pressing member.

4. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said upper pressing member including a pair of links each having its upper end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said upper pressing member and each of said links having a lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said upper pressing member, one of said links being provided with means adapted for engagement with said upper pressing member for limiting swinging movement of said upper pressing member in one direction relative to the supporting element therefor, and means carried by one of said links and adapted for engagement with said upper pressing member for limiting swinging movement of said upper pressing member in the opposite direction relative to the supporting element therefor, said last named means also serving to limit sliding movement of said upper pressing member in said opposite direction relative to said lower pressing member.

5. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said upper pressing member including a pair of links each having its upper end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said upper pressing member and each of said links having a lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said upper pressing member, one of said links being provided at its lower end with means adapted for engagement with said upper pressing member for limiting swinging movement of said upper pressing member in one direction relative to the supporting element therefor, and means carried by the upper end of one of said links and adapted for engagement with said upper press" ing member for limiting swinging movement of said upper pressing member in the opposite direction relative to the supporting element therefor, said last named means also serving to limit sliding movement of said upper pressing member in said opposite direction relative to said lower pressing member.

6. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said upper pressing member including a pair of links each having its upper end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said upper pressing member and each of said links having a lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said up per pressing member, means normally tending to swing said upper pressing member in one direction relative to its supporting element, means carried by one of said links and adapted for engagement with said upper pressing member for limiting swinging movement of said upper pressing member in said one direction, and means carried by one of said links and adapted for engagement with said upper pressing member for limiting swinging movement of said upper pressing member in the opposite direction relative to the supporting element therefor, said last named means also serving to limitsliding movement of said upper pressing member in said opposite direction relative to said lower pressing member.

7. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said upper pressing member including a pair of links each having its upper end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said upper pressing member and each of said links having a lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said upper pressing member, the points of connection of said links to said upper pressing member being at all times offset laterally in the same direction from the points of connection of said links to the supporting element for said upper pressing member, whereby said upper pressing member normally tends to swing in one direction relative to its supporting element, means carried by one of said links and adapted for engagement with said upper pressing member for limiting swinging movement of said upper pressing member in said one direction, and means carried by one of said links and adapted for engagement with said upper pressing member for limiting swinging movement of said upper pressing member in the opposite direction relative to the supporting element therefor, said last named means also serving to limit sliding movement of said upper pressing member in said opposite direction relative to said lower pressing member.

8. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said upper pressing member including a pair of links each having its upper end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said upper pressing member and each of said links having a lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said upper pressing member, the points of connection of said links to said upper pressing member being at all times offset laterally in the same direction from the points of connection of said links to the supporting element for said upper pressing member, whereby said upper pressing member normally tends to swing in one direction relative to its supporting element, yielding means cooperating with each of said links for normally urging said upper pressing member to swing in said one direction, integral means carried by the lower end of each of said links and adapted for engagement with said upper pressing member to limit swinging movement of said upper pressing member in said one direction, and integral means carried by the upper end of each of said links and adapted for engagement with said upper pressing member for limiting swinging movement of said upper pressing member in the opposite direction relative to the supporting element therefor, said last named means also serving to limit sliding movement of said upper pressing member in said opposite direction relative to said lower pressing member.

9. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said lower pressing member including a link having its upper end pivotally connected to said lower pressing member and having its lower end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said lower pressing member, means carried by said link and adapted for engagement with the supporting element for said lower pressing member for limiting swinging movement in one direction of said lower pressing member relative to its supporting element, said means by such engagement also serving to limit sliding movement of said lower pressing member relative to said upper pressing member, and means normally urging said lower pressing member to swing in the opposite direction relative to its supporting element.

10. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements. upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said lower pressing member including a link having its upper end pivotally connected to said lower pressing member and having its lower end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said lower pressing member, a depending abutment carried by the upper end of said link and adapted for engagement with the supporting element for said lower pressing member for limiting swinging movement in one direction of said lower pressing member relative to its supporting element, said abutment serving by such engagement to limit sliding movement of said 1Ower pressing member relative to said upper pressing member, and means normally urging said lower pressing member to swing in the opposite direction relative to its supporting element.

11. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said lower pressing member including a link having its upper end pivotally connected to said lower pressing member and having its lower end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said lower pressing member, and a depending abutment carried by the upper end of said link and adapted for engagement with the supporting element for said lower pressing member for limiting swinging movement in one direction of said lower pressing member relative to its supporting element, said abutment by such engagement also serving to limit sliding movement of said lower pressing member relative to said upper pressing member, and yielding means cooperating with said abutment and normally urging said lower pressing member to swing in the opposite direction relative to its supporting element.

12. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said lower pressing member including a link having its upper end pivotally connected to said lower pressing member and having its lower end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said lower pressing member, the point of connection of said link to said lower pressing member being at all times oiiset laterally in the same direction from the point of connection of said link to the supporting element for said lower pressing member, whereby said lower pressing member has a normal tendency to swing in one direction relative to its supporting element, means carried by said link and adapted for engagement with the supporting element for said lower pressing member for limiting swinging movement of said lower pressing member in such direction, and yielding means normally urging said lower pressing member to swing in th opposite direction relative to its supporting element.

13. In a pressing machine, a pair of supporting elements, upper and lower pressing members mounted thereon, one on each, and means for effecting engagement of said pressing members for pressing operation purposes and for effecting disengagement thereof, the mounting for said upper pressing member including a link having its upper end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said upper pressing member and having a lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said upper pressing member, the point of connection of said link to said upper pressing member being at all times ofiset laterally in the same direction from the point of connection of said link to the supporting element for said upper pressing member, whereby said upper pressing member has a normal tendency to swing in one direction relative to its supporting element, yielding means for normally urging said upper pressing member to swing in such direction, and means carried by said link for limiting swinging movement in the opposite direction of said upper pressing member relative to its supporting element, said last named means also serving to limit sliding movement in such opposite direction of said upper pressing member relative to said lower pressing member, the mounting for said lower pressing member including a link having its upper end pivotally connected to said lower pressing member and having its lower end pivotally connected to the supporting element for said lower pressing member, the point of connection of said link to said lower pressing member being at all times offset laterally in the same direction from the point of connection of said link to the supporting element for said lower pressing member,

whereby said lower pressing member has a normal tendency to swing in one direction relative to its supporting element, said direction being opposite to that in which said upper pressing member normally tends to swing, means carried by said link for limiting swinging movement of said lower pressing member in such direction, said last named means also serving to limit sliding movement in such direction of said lower pressing member relative to said upper pressing member, and means normally urging said lower pressing member to swing in an opposite direction relative to its supporting element.

ALBERT MATTHEWS. 

